DeKalb will join units of state and local government across America in observing 1991 National Building Safety Week April 8-12, said Bill Nicklas, building and community services director.

Observation of Building Safety Week started in 1980 to publicize the importance of construction codes and their administration by the government. National Building Safety Week has also heightened recognition of the role professional code officials play in assuring the safe construction of various types of buildings.

“The importance of construction codes and their enforcement is often overlooked until a fire or a construction-related tragedy occurs,” Nicklas said.

Code administration in DeKalb is carried out by the Department of Building and Community Services, which includes Nicklas, an assistant director, four inspectors and two secretaries.

The 1991 National Building Safety Week is endorsed by such organizations as Building Officials and Code Administrators International, the Council of American Building Officials and the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards.

The Building and Community Services Department will conduct numerous media presentations and house walks in residential neighborhoods in observance of National Building Safety Week. Also, local residents can contact the office at 748-2070 with any questions.

In 1990, the DeKalb Building Department performed over 10,000 inspections, including about 6,000 visits to construction and remodelling projects in varying stages of completion, and over 2,500 nuisance inspections to keep neighborhoods free of open garbage and trash in yard areas.